Nasal device and method of positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient

Abstract

A nasal device for positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient's nose. The nasal device comprises a nasal adapter having a lumen disposed there through for guiding the nasogastric tubing within the nasal adapter. The device further comprises an adhesive member that removeably surrounds a portion of the patient's nose. The body has a front side and a back side wherein the back side contacts against the patient's nose.

1. A nasal device for positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient's nose, comprising:
 an adapter having a proximal end, a distal end and body disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the body having an inner surface defining a lumen that is configured to guide the nasogastric tubing within a nostril of the patient's nose, the nasal adapter further having an ellipsoidal flange extending outward from the body, the ellipsoidal flange having an outer edge, the ellipsoidal flange being configured to contact a nare of the patient's nose; 
 a slit extending from the outer edge of the flange to the inner surface of the body; and 
 a member operatively connected to the ellipsoidal flange, the member having a front side and a back side wherein the back side removably connects to an alar wing of the patient's nose in an angular relation with respect to the ellipsoidal flange. 
 
     
     
       2. The nasal device of  claim 1  wherein the ellipsoidal flange has an outer side and an inner side, the inner side being positioned to contact the nare of the patient's nose. 
     
     
       3. The nasal device of  claim 2  wherein the ellipsoidal flange is configured to resist movement of the nasogastric tubing into the nostril. 
     
     
       4. The nasal device of  claim 1  wherein the back side is positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to the ellipsoidal flange. 
     
     
       5. The nasal device of  claim 4  wherein the back side is configured to resist movement of the nasogastric tubing out of the nostril. 
     
     
       6. The nasal device of  claim 1  further comprising a connector attached to the distal end of the body, the connector being configured to clamp the nasogastric tubing. 
     
     
       7. The nasal device of  claim 1  further comprising a bridge configured to operatively connect together the body and the member. 
     
     
       8. The nasal device of  claim 1  further compromising a medicinal layer positioned on the back side of the body. 
     
     
       9. The nasal device of  claim 8  wherein the medicinal layer includes a local anesthetic dispersed throughout. 
     
     
       10. The nasal device of  claim 8  wherein the medicinal layer includes an antimicrobial material dispersed throughout. 
     
     
       11. The nasal device of  claim 1  wherein the nasal adaptor and the member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       12. A nasal device for positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient's nose, comprising:
 an adapter having a proximal end, a distal end and body disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the body having an inner surface defining a lumen that is configured to guide the nasogastric tubing within a nostril of the patient's nose, the nasal adapter further having an ellipsoidal flange extending outward from the body, the ellipsoidal flange having an outer edge, wherein the ellipsoidal flange is configured to contact a nare of the patient's nose; 
 a slit extending from the outer edge of the flange to the inner surface of the body; and 
 a member operatively connected to the ellipsoidal flange, the member having a front side and a back side wherein the back side removably connects to an alar wing of the patient's nose in a substantially perpendicular relation with respect to the ellipsoidal flange such that the ellipsoidal flange is positioned on the nare to resist movement of the nasogastric tubing into the nostril and the back side is positioned on the alar wing to resist movement of the nasogastric tubing out of the nostril. 
 
     
     
       13. The nasal device of  claim 12  wherein the ellipsoidal flange is positioned to remain free from entering the nostril. 
     
     
       14. The nasal device of  claim 12  wherein the back side is positioned to remain free from entering the patient's nose. 
     
     
       15. The nasal device of  claim 12  further comprising a connector attached to the distal end of the body, the connector being configured to clamp the nasogastric tubing. 
     
     
       16. The nasal device of  claim 12  further comprising a bridge configured to operatively connect together the body and the member. 
     
     
       17. A method of positioning a nasal adapter in communication with a patient's nose for inserting nasogastric tubing within the patient's nostril, comprising:
 inserting the nasogastric tubing through an outer edge of an ellipsoidal flange; 
 inserting the nasogastric tubing through an inner surface of a body; 
 removeably positioning the body around the nasogastric tubing; 
 inserting the nasogastric tubing within a lumen of the body; 
 inserting the nasogastric tubing that extends beyond the body into the patient's nostril; 
 positioning a first member of the nasal adapter against a nare of the nostril; and 
 positioning a second member of the nasal adapter against an alar wing of the nose wherein the positioning of the first member and the positioning of the second member resists movement of the nasogastric tubing that is positioned within the nostril. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein the positioning of the first member and the second member comprises positioning the first member and the second member in an angular relationship with respect to each other.